Born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands on February 1st, 1942. Passed away at Seaforth Community Hospital on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
He leaves behind his life partner Betty Jean (BJ), who he was a loving spouse to for 40 years. Loving father to Wayne, Jackie Teixeira, Denise, and Robert (Sherine Misener). Affectionate Opa to Thomas (Nicole Armstrong), Robert, Stephanie, Kira, Dylan, and Paige. Thys is predeceased by his parents Jan (2009) and Akiena (Zondag) (2001) deJong. He will be missed by his brothers Bauke and Hendrik, his many nieces and nephews, and all his family near and far – including many loved ones in the Netherlands who Thys always kept contact with over his many decades in Canada.
Thys immigrated to Canada with his family in April 1956. He was a man of many interests: a faithful Christian and church choir director; a musician on many instruments including the tuba and the organ; a hobby historian and genealogist; a beautiful gardener; an outdoorsman who loved fishing and camping with his family. His stories, his jokes and his warm smile will stay with all who knew him.
A celebration of life will take place at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship, 250 Princess Street, Brussels Ontario on Tuesday, April 8th from 1 – 3 PM, with words of remembrance starting at 2 PM.
Donations to Brussels Mennonite Fellowship or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Maurice P
Denise, wishing you comfort and peace during this time of sorrow. Our thoughts are prayers are with you.
Gerald and Anne Ryan
To BJ and family. Another old Walton friend gone. Our deepest sympathy to you . May it comfort you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Family of Bill and Marjory Humphries
BJ and Thys’ family,
Our sincere sympathy on his passing, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Thys loved his gardening, as mentioned, he was most excited to share the story of his “special” bulbs he received from Holland one time, they were a beautiful addition to his gardens.
May you hold the special memories close to your hearts.
The Family of Bill and Marjory Humphries
Cora alcock
Sincere sympathy BJ and family. May God’s peace be with you. Cora Alcock and Ron
Helen Craig
Sincere Sympathy to B. J. and Thys family at a difficult time. Thys was a good Walton fellow and good neighbour of Walton Inn when the Craig’s were operating and owned this Walton business. There will be many good memories. Sincerely Helen Craig and Michael
Mary Ann Thompson
My condolences to BJ and family. Thys was a very kind man, he will be greatly missed.
Lee Ann Johnson
My sincere condolences to Rob and Sheri on the loss of your father / father-in-law.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your families during this most difficult time.
Brian & Shelley McGavin
Our sincere condolences, BJ and family. May he rest in peace
Peter de Jong
To all relatives we wish a lot of strength with the loss of our cousin Thys. We will never forget him.
Joan Bernard
Condolences to Thys family and B J of course! He always had a smile, a hi, how are you today when you met him out and about! He had a very interesting life, RIP Thys.
Don & Pat Nolan
Thinking of you BJ at this difficult time. Our sympathy to you and your family
Marie & Neil McGavin
To all of Thys’s family,
We send our sincere sympathy to everyone. He will be missed
in the Walton community.
Neil and Marie
Ann Preszcator
Dear Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Thys used to come into Keatings Pharmacy when I worked there.
Patricia Winkler
We met many years ago in a chatroom among a large number of wonderful people who all were considered good friends. We laughed and cried together for years. Thys at that time went by the name of Tulipstomper and made us all laugh. He was generous with hugs for all of us. I will always cherish his memory and keep him close to my heart. Sending love <3
Art VanderMeulen
Condolences to the family of Thys, especially to Jackie and Denise. Your dad was a special guy. I knew him for only one year, the year he and BJ got married, when I was student minister at the Cambridge Reformed Church.
Sippie Van der Berg
Hallo family,
My condolences for all of. I’m sure you will miss him very much.
I only knew Thys on Facebook. My mother and Thys his father were cousins. My mother correspondent with Akiena. I remember Thys as a joyful man with a lot of humor. And careful for and loving his family. I hope your memories of Thys will comfort you.
Thys often ended his FB comments with ‘ Krûpkes ‘ .
Krûpkes from Sippie van der Berg
Frans en Jannie van Kammen
“Our sincere condolences for the passing of Thys.
Behind every tear of sorrow is a smile full of memories.
Kroepkes en tutsjes ❤️
Jenn Hoogendoorn
My condolences to the DeJong family.